Roger Tews

Roger Hollace Tews was born the fourth child of Hollace Henry Tews and Bertha Hilda (Maasz) Tews, on September 19, 1961 in Fort Atkinson, WI. He was baptized into the family of God at St Paul’s Ev Lutheran Church (WELS) in Fort Atkinson. He grew up in the country, and spent time roaming the woods and marsh close by, playing with (and harassing) his older siblings, as well as caring for chickens, rabbits, a horse and the family dog. He worked in the garden when he was forced to, but preferred riding his bike, hunting, and playing with friends on the dairy farm next door. Roger attended St Paul’s Lutheran Grade School, where he especially enjoyed basketball and learned trombone. At Lakeside Lutheran High School in Lake Mills, WI Roger played football and basketball, and enjoyed running. He served on Student Council, and was Homecoming King. He especially liked studying Christian Doctrine and Psychology (when he actually studied). He worked at the Fireside Dinner Theater in Fort Atkinson and also did farm work during high school. He graduated in 1980.

After high school Roger was all set to attend Madison Area Technical College to become a police officer, but a respected teacher encouraged him to “go to Dr Martin Luther College, find your wife, and become a Christian Day School teacher.” That is what he did! He enrolled at Dr Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN; shortly after arriving he met Deborah Sue Peterson from Bay City, Michigan. The two did not like each other at first (and Roger didn’t even like coffee yet), but after spending much time together in a group of new friends (usually debating a topic or just plain arguing), a solid relationship formed. Roger and Deb were married after junior year of college on July 30, 1983 in Bay City, MI. They both graduated in 1984 with Bachelor of Science in Education degrees.

Roger’s years of Christian Ministry included a one-year call to teach 8th grade at St Peter’s Lutheran School in Fond du Lac, followed by 14 years teaching 5-6 grades at First Lutheran School in LaCrosse. In addition to teaching every subject in a self-contained, multi-grade classroom, he coached volleyball, basketball and softball, and led youth Bible Study. He excelled at teaching God’s Word, leading youth to understand God’s great love for them and their significance in the world. Roger has had many nicknames; here he was “Mr T” to his students.

While in La Crosse Roger continued his education with postgraduate studies at The University of Wisconsin La Crosse. Roger was enthusiastic about computer technology and spearheaded wiring for the internet into each classroom, long before that was done in other Wisconsin grade schools.. He created plans for each classroom to study current events through the AP news feed and attempted to use this concept for his Master’s project, but since no professor at UWL could conceptualize such an idea and take on the task of advisor, the project was disallowed from his degree program. Ironically, during the last decade Roger stayed as far away from technology as he could!

During the La Crosse years Roger and Deb adopted their two sons, Andrew and Seth. Roger was a devoted father, helping both boys to develop lifelong values, skills and abilities, as well as assisting Deb with homeschooling. They also learned about many sports, much about cars, and how to have a lot of fun in life. Most importantly, Roger “passed the baton” of the Gospel to his children. He loved being called “Dad”!

In LaCrosse Roger and Deb built their first house, up on "The Ridge", as the bluffs east of the city are called. Planning and construction became new interests for Roger, and more of that was in the future, with another new house and a renovation.

In 1999 Roger left teaching ministry when he accepted the call to become the first Youth and Family Minister at Christ Our Savior Ev. Lutheran Church in Rockford, Michigan. This is the work that was his heart's desire. At COS he focused on teaching Catechism, training Sunday School teachers and youth leaders, family ministry, vacation Bible school, youth trips and events, and mentoring middle school and high school students. Roger established COSRock’s Youth Center, which was open 4 times a week and was one of his most treasured accomplishments. The close relationship cultivated with the youth and their families earned him the nickname “T-Dogg.”

In 2008 Roger and Deb together began a more intense youth ministry role as Professional Youth Care Workers (Roger was called “Major Tews”) and as Houseparents (“Pops”) at Rawhide in New London, WI. There they wholeheartedly served at-risk male youth aged 12-19, sharing God’s unconditional love with the many young men and staff with whom they worked, many of whom remain in contact.

When it was time to leave Rawhide (as direct care is in some ways like a "tour of duty"), the long-discussed (kind of joked about) idea of opening a coffee shop took root. In 2017 The River Coffee and Cream was born in Wrightstown, WI after the couple moved into a 100+ year old building on the Fox River, and built the shop on the lower level. At this time Roger graduated from Fox Valley Tech School in Appleton with his CDL and many endorsements, starting his 7 year career as a fuel tanker transfer driver while Deb started the shop. Renovating the old building has always been very satisfying for Roger.

Roger finished his working days this past year doing one of his favorite things - hanging out around automobiles. He loved working at Bergstrom Automotive and chuckled at the new title on his name plate, “Product Genius.” Yes, he did know a lot of details about almost every vehicle!

In addition to his lifelong interest in vehicles, Roger enjoyed motorcycles, biking, reading, road trips with Deb, watching the Packers with the family, paying attention to current events, music of almost any type, singing in choir, spending time at the beach, eating watermelon and drinking lots of coffee. His favorite holiday was Easter. He continued to mentor a few young people, and valued the relationships with many coffee shop customers that he got to know over the years. Interest in ministry never waned, and Roger was privileged to serve on the Leadership Team for 922 Ministries and The CORE.

Roger’s favorite and most meaningful title was “Child of God.” He used to say (in his Roger way), “I may be a molding piece of slime, but I’m a baptized, blood-bought Child of God!” He is now with his heavenly Father enjoying the reward that was earned for him by Jesus Christ. “The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” I John I:7 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

God numbered Roger's days, and they are complete. Roger passed from this life into the arms of Jesus on Saturday evening, September 20, 2025, one day after his 64th birthday. He died rather suddenly from unexpected complications of esophageal cancer.

Roger is survived by his partner in life, his wife of 42 years, Deborah Sue (Peterson) Tews, son Andrew Raymond Peterson Tews of Milwaukee, son Seth Matthias Tews (Danielle Harris Tews) of Boise, Idaho; granddaughters Evelyn and Lydia; Sister Karen (Paul) Achilli, Brother Ronald (Lisa) Tews, Sister-in-law Lori (Kevin) Tews, Sister-in-law Cheryl (Peterson) Motter, Brother-in-law Roger Motter, and many nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by Parents Hollace and Hilda Tews, Brother Kevin Tews; Father- and Mother-in-law Raymond and Elizabeth Peterson, Sister-in-law Karen Zalucha

Celebration of Roger’s Life in Christ

Friday, Oct 10, 2025

Visitation 9:30-11:30 am, Service to follow

The CORE

820 W College Avenue

Appleton, WI 54914

Memorial Suggestions - near to Roger’s heart are the following ministries:

Christ Our Savior Youth Scholarship Fund, Rockford, Michigan

Lighthouse Youth Ministries at The CORE, Appleton, WI

First Ev. Lutheran Church Youth Ministry, La Crosse, WI

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